Aviano AB is situated around the Italian town of Aviano which is at the foot of the Austrian Pre-Alps. The area is absolutely breathtaking! We're about one-hour's drive from many excellent beaches on the Adriatic Sea. They're relatively clean and well kept and the water stays warm in the Spring and Fall seasons. It's perfect in the Summer! Snow skiing opportunities here are unlimited! As we're at the foot of the Alps, we have ready access to many nice resorts such as Piancavallo which is less than 20-minutes from the base. Since the snowfall has been low in the past few years, you may have to go to the slopes in Germany, Austria or Switzerland which are all within a few hours drive from Aviano. The base also has a ski club for everyone from novice through expert and they offer trips throughout the season. If you like to ski or want to learn, you'll especially like this assignment.
Furthermore, if you like to travel, this is a great place for it. Military Hops are available for almost any destination within Europe and the Middle East. Aviano is conveniently located near Milan, Florence, Genoa, Pisa, Venice and Verona. There are train stations nearby that are very reasonable and offer trips to many destinations. Traveling by car is another way to see the many sights in Italy, so I recommend you get an international driver's license before you depart your current duty station and a civilian passports for everyone in your family.
The town of Aviano is a small community. Stores are normally opened from Tuesday through Friday from 0800-1230 (they close for siesta and then reopen) and from 1530-1930. On Saturday, the shops normally close at noon. Local nationals are extremely nice towards Americans. This is good since you'll be living on the economy as there is no on-base housing for accompanied members. All the towns are relatively small, most having a town square, an open-air market, many small shops and grocery stores along with a local bar and gelateria where you can purchase fresh ice cream.
Aviano AB is very small and unique in that it is separated into areas that service different needs. Area One has the MPF, BX, Commissary, library, shopette, bowling alley, swimming pool, theater and other AAFES shops. Area Two has the gym, dining facilities and dormitories. You'll be working on the flight line located five minutes away in Area Seven, so having a car will become a necessity. Base facilities are quite small but relatively new. The BX and Commissary have good selections and what they don't have, you can order from the AAFES catalog or purchase on the economy. We also have a barber shop, gift shop, jewelry shop and flower shop located in the BX mall. Furthermore, there is a small food court and video arcade in the mall complex.
The recreation center offers many affordable tours as well as a good rental supply for skiing and other activities. We have a new 12-lane bowling alley, a nice outdoor swimming pool and a good library. Basically, Aviano is a small but adequately equipped base. The base education office offers classes through the University of Maryland, Boston University, Embry Riddle and video courses through Chicago University. The variety and amount of classes offered is limited but adequate and the instruction is pretty good.
If you already have a checking account with a US Bank, I'd recommend keeping it opened until you get here. Our local bank is Italian which offers checking and savings accounts, but a lot of places won't accept their checks because they are not from a U.S. bank. There is also a credit union on base that is widely used.
If you are shipping a vehicle over, it will arrive in Aviano so picking it up at port is not required. The roads are smaller over here, but I have seen large trucks and vans make do. The inspection criteria is more rigid here than in most U.S. states, so make sure your car is in good shape. Basically, if your car will pass the inspection to be shipped by the military, it will pass the safety inspection here. Be aware that car insurance is almost double what it is in the states. You'll get COLA to help offset this increase. The voltage here is 220v/50hz, but transformers are available at the BX and the thrift shop. You'll want to leave your larger appliances at home as the base will supply you ones in the correct voltage. If you wish, bring your TV's, VCR's and stereos. Bring any cabinets, shelving units, etc. as the Italians do not build cabinets or closets.
Housing is in short supply and high demand, so be prepared to wait 45 days to a couple of months. Houses are more expensive and harder to find than apartments. You'll get an overseas housing allowance to help offset this expense. The system here is very hard to explain, but the Housing Office is very receptive and will try to answer any question you have. The cost of living here isn't bad. This applies to stores on the economy if you shop for bargains and use the markets. But I won't lie to you, if you buy at the wrong place, it can get expensive. I can assure you that you'll definitely enjoy living on the economy. You'll probably learn to speak Italian, develop good relations with the locals and become somewhat Europeanized during your tour.
Feel free to E-Mail me and I will arrange to have someone, if not myself, answer your questions. Let me know the day and time you'll be arriving so we can make arrangements for your billeting. Please include the number and ages of your children (if you have children) and any special needs you or they may need. If you are bringing pets, it can make things more difficult, so please let us know this also. A lot of landlords do not allow large animals but may be persuaded to let you keep a cat or a small dog. If you would like a mailbox, you will have to arrange to get a set of your orders to us. As I said before, Benvenuti (welcome) and if there is anything I can do let me know.
Sincerely,
The Buzzard Family
